US Dept. of Labor confirms Iowa’s new child labor law violates federal law
US Dept. of Labor confirms Iowa’s new child labor law violates federal law KCRG
sdgtalks
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/PWU5427NXJCLBGJI5NCGCD3WYI.jpg)
U.S. Department of Labor Confirms Iowa’s New Child Labor Law Violates Federal Law
DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) – The U.S. Department of Labor sent a letter to Iowa Democrats confirming the new child labor law Governor Kim Reynolds signed in May violates federal law.
Iowa Democrats sent a letter back in March to the U.S. Dept. of Labor voicing their concerns on the law, which eased restrictions on how many hours minors could work, and what types of jobs those could be.
Violations of Federal Law
- “The Iowa law allows 16- and 17-year-olds to operate dangerous power-driven machines, engage in heavy manufacturing, and work in demolition — all of which are prohibited under federal child-labor laws.”
- “The new Iowa law also does not require 16- and 17-year-olds working in apprenticeship or student-learner roles to be registered by the U.S. Department of Labor or a state agency, which federal law does require.”
The U.S. Department of Labor emphasizes that while states can pass more protective child labor laws, they cannot nullify federal requirements by enacting less protective laws.
“The child-labor expansion forced into law by Republican politicians and Gov. Reynolds sets a trap for Iowa kids and businesses alike,” Sen. Nate Boulton, D-Des Moines, said in a news release on Friday. “It makes our kids less safe by exposing them to hazardous environments that could get them injured or even killed—something the legislation itself acknowledged. And now it creates new bureaucratic confusion that can lead employers right into violations of federal law.”
Copyright 2023 KCRG. All rights reserved.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The issues highlighted in the article are related to child labor laws and their compliance with federal regulations. SDG 8 focuses on promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment, and decent work for all. SDG 16 aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor.
- Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
The article highlights concerns regarding child labor laws that potentially violate federal regulations. Target 8.7 specifically addresses the elimination of the worst forms of child labor. Target 16.3 focuses on promoting the rule of law and ensuring equal access to justice.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator for Target 8.7: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group.
- Indicator for Target 16.3: Proportion of the population who have experienced a dispute in the past two years and who accessed a formal or informal dispute resolution mechanism, by type of mechanism.
The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators. However, to measure progress towards Target 8.7, data on the proportion and number of children engaged in child labor can be collected. For Target 16.3, data on the proportion of the population accessing formal or informal dispute resolution mechanisms can be used.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor. | Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group. |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. | Proportion of the population who have experienced a dispute in the past two years and who accessed a formal or informal dispute resolution mechanism, by type of mechanism. |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: kcrg.com
Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.
